Another opinion request

[Contessa]

I am leaning towards buying a coop. It's not to say that we won't build one eventually, but my wonderful husband tends to stretch himself quite thin. In addition to a coop and run he will be fencing a small section of yard to keep our dogs out and our son in and away from our pool. I would like to have chicks no later than April. The garage is also a very scary place and I wouldn't attempt to wade through it to locate tools to do this on my own (I may get quite lost).

I was looking at these two:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Deluxe-Chicken-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b984d9b5

This is the one I prefer. It looks like it will need some modification to increase ventilation and add locks to keep the boogers out (we have skunks, racoons and opossums). The run is not huge, but I think we can build a run more easily.

This is the other:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Deluxe-Chicken-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0f5c4abc

Thoughts and critisims are appreciated!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

They are both OK but you still have to put it together, so here's my opinion if I was to buy something. I would purchase the cheaper one and make a pattern of each piece before you put it together so you can make another one on your own for probably for less money. Good luck in what ever you decide.

 

[Contessa]

Quote:
I like that idea. A lot. And thank you!
Putting together isn't a concern (which is why I am thinking this might be better for now). I am the Assembler of Many Things in my house.

 

[Matt A NC]

The second looks like there would be a challenge with cleaning it out.

Matt

 

[Contessa]

Quote:
Excellent point, and I agree. The first one has side access. I can imagine litter and manuer flying about as I try to shovel it at some odd angle. Ewww... Even worse if we do deep litter. Thank you!

 

[SunnyDawn]

I like the 2nd one better. It's cheaper and is a little bit bigger. You have to build a run anyway since the first one's run area is too small (and doesn't look very secure from predators) so why pay so much more when the only extras the first one provides is a run that you can't use? The lid is also stationary on the first and it's hard to clean and secure these low coops with the side access panel that the first one has (of course maybe you could try to hinge it?). Easier to clean and secure when the whole top hinges up like that. I'd also raise it up off the ground a bit so you can reach the eggs and clean it out easier. A drop through hatch cut in the bottom would make it much easier to clean and is easy to latch when not in use.
Good luck whatever you choose!

 

[Contessa]

Quote:
I wanted to raise both of them (I also think they're far too low). What is this drop through hatch you speak of? My husband was more interested in the second one and I did see that a member here had purchased on and liked it for the most part. Thank you!

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
I wanted to raise both of them (I also think they're far too low). What is this drop through hatch you speak of? My husband was more interested in the second one and I did see that a member here had purchased on and liked it for the most part. Thank you!

My hubby just cut a square out of the floor of our coop which I covered with wide wire netting. He then put hinges at one end (on the wall side) and a latch w/hook at the other side (to keep out predators). DH cut it on the center joists so the joists keep it from falling through (could block it from the underside if easier). Now I just open the hatch, place a bucket underneath and sweep the litter into the bucket through the hole in the floor! Super easy when you have a walk-in coop or the kind with a hinged roof. Saves my back too!

 

[gryeyes]

I HAVE the second one, with the attached run. I like it. It's my second coop; the first one I made myself (and is where the two girls I got from SunnyDawn are now housed). I would have preferred if the eBay coop was up off the ground a bit more, and it does need more ventilation (which I provided by cutting another vent in the back and covered with hardware cloth). The latch/locks on the nest boxes are more secure than you would imagine.

The screws for the hinges on the top are a little flimsy and have pulled out on one side, so I have to be careful when I open the top. No biggie; one shouldn't be slamming lids around, anyway.

I have both my coops inside a larger, enclosed run area. The purchased, attached run is what I consider to be "second line protection" and is handy for putting feed and a bin with sand in it for dust baths out of the nasty weather.

I intend to build another coop, and when it's done, and housing everybody, I'll use my first home made coop and that eBay coop for "nurseries" for chicks old enough to be outside, before everybody is old enough to merge 'em all together.

I totally understand the desire to get a coop kit, and that coop was extremely easy to put together. It's also light enough for me to have moved three separate times until I got it placed just where it's best suited in the larger, enclosed run.

The back door is very useful for cleaning out the coop, too. Just sweep the litter out into a bin, then drag that away to the compost heap.

My flock has been very understanding of my need to lift the lid every night to count chickens, since they currently put themselves to roost before I get home from work. I just close and lock the attached pen door, close and lock the pop door, then lift the lid and count chickens on the roosts. They mumble at me a bit, but I'm reassured nobody disappeared during the day when I was at work.